Multi-chamber squeeze tube

ABSTRACT

A system includes a multi-chamber squeeze tube, each chamber respectively containing a first material and a different second material, the tube configured to dispense each of the first and second materials at the same time in a predetermined ratio for chemical reaction and use.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application claims priority from U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/939,392, filed Feb. 13, 2014, which is incorporatedby reference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

Previous approaches include a onetime use—throw-away product. To extrudematerial from such a prior device, a pouch must be rolled up by hand orwith a mechanical device such as a key. Such a prior device is messy,time consuming and is disadvantageously configured to trap materialwithin, leading to waste of such material. Such prior devices mayinclude foil laminate sheets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention aredescribed in detail below with reference to the following drawingfigures.

FIG. 1 illustrates top, side, exploded and perspective views of amulti-chamber squeeze tube and nozzle according to an embodiment of theinvention; and

FIG. 2 illustrates top, side and perspective views of nozzleconfigurations according to alternative embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

This patent application is intended to describe one or more embodimentsof the present invention. It is to be understood that the use ofabsolute terms, such as “must,” “will,” and the like, as well asspecific quantities, is to be construed as being applicable to one ormore of such embodiments, but not necessarily to all such embodiments.As such, embodiments of the invention may omit, or include amodification of, one or more features or functionalities described inthe context of such absolute terms.

Embodiments of the invention include a unique packaging system and amethod designed to deliver multi part adhesives and sealants forrepairing a variety of materials. These materials can be found inConstruction, Retail, Hardware and Industrial applications.

Applications to which embodiments of the invention may be appliedinclude a wide variety of Adhesive and Sealant repair for concrete,wood, stucco, metal, fiberglass, ceramics, hobby and craft etc. forrepairing a variety of materials.

More particularly, embodiments of the invention offer a more userfriendly packaging system to deliver multi-component, (e.g., componentsA & B) adhesive, sealant, or chemically reactive mixture to, on or in avariety of substrates, than is currently available in the market.

Material enclosed within a squeeze tube according to an embodiment canbe squeezed out by hand without having to roll from bottom of the tubeor use a mechanical device.

Rather than employing foil laminate sheets, an embodiment of theinvention includes a chemically resistant and flexible polymer material

An embodiment includes a multi-chambered squeeze tube with or without amixing nozzle. Such a squeeze tube may contain various total of volumesof product—0.5 ounces to any large, desired size—to dispense multiplechemically reactive components, according to one of the followingoptions A and B:

Preparation for use according to an embodiment—remove protective plasticcap from threaded spout and remove retaining plug, (D-plug) and then:

OPTION A—squeeze out product without automatic mixing nozzle andmanually mix product and apply to work area; or

OPTION B—squeeze out product with automatic mixing nozzle and apply towork area.

The accompanying drawing figures illustrate at least one example of asqueeze tube and mixing nozzle according to at least one embodiment ofthe invention.

As alluded to above, and as is more particularly illustrated in FIG. 1,an embodiment of the invention includes a unique multi-chamber squeezetube 100 as part of a material delivery system. Each chamber 110, 120contains an individual component (example Part A material, differentPart B material) with the ability to dispense each component at the sametime on correct ratio for chemical reaction and use.

The mixing nozzle, examples of which can be seen in FIG. 2, thoroughlymixes the respective materials together so that the resultant mixture isready to use upon dispensing from the tube.

The material “A” may be composed of a resin chemical to achieve thereactive physical properties desired when mixed with the catalyst “B” onthe other side of the tube. Likewise the “B” material may be composed ofvarious catalyst combinations and non-reactive materials to achieve thedesired ratio of A to B and the resultant desired physical properties.

As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the manufactured design ofan embodiment of the invention is as follows (a 1:1 mixture ratio inthis example):

Start with a tube large enough to include the total desired volume ofmixture.

Next step is to seal the single large tube in half, (longitudinally)producing two equal 1:1 ratio sides. With each side having a halfthreaded dispensing outlet that will eventually come together to createa fill threaded dispensing outlet.

Next step is fold the tube in half and seal the bottom.

Next step is to attach the one remaining side creating a final singlesqueeze tube with two separate chambers.

An embodiment includes, or can otherwise administer, two or morechemical products in a squeeze tube having two or more chambers thatdispenses on-ratio material and offers automatic product mixing viaautomatic mixing nozzle.

An embodiment fills a need for a low cost user friendly packaging systemof adhesives, sealants or other of multi-part chemical products notfound in squeeze tube packaging currently on the market. Our squeezetube does not require a manual caulking gun or “key” to extrude theproduct from the tube. Previous attempted solutions require a key todispense or extrude the material.

The squeeze tube design according to an embodiment of the invention ismuch easier and more user-friendly than current packaging systems,because it can easily be squeezed by hand without using a dispensingtool. This design also automatically allows the multi-componentmaterials to be delivered via a mixing nozzle and ready for immediate,on-ratio material use.

An embodiment has no right angle corners to trap the enclosed materialand thus prevent it from being dispensed, thereby eliminatingunnecessary waste. In an exemplary embodiment, at the top of the tubewhere the product is dispensed, the corners are curved and notconfigured at sharp right angles, thereby trapping product and making itimpossible to fully dispense the enclosed material.

An embodiment includes a special threaded dispensing outlet withcapability of attaching an auto mixing nozzle. Consequently, anembodiment includes a manually squeezable tube cooperating with such adispensing outlet and auto mixing nozzle.

An embodiment includes a plug to re-seal after each use, thereforeallowing material to be saved for later use and reducing or eliminatingwaste of the enclosed material. This feature is in contradistinctionwith previous attempted solutions, which consist of a single-use tubethat is not sealable after a first use and, consequently, wastes allunused material.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, as noted above, many changes can be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the inventionis not limited except as by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a multi-chamber squeezetube, each chamber respectively containing a first material and adifferent second material, the tube configured to dispense each of thefirst and second materials at the same time in a predetermined ratio forchemical reaction and use.